Joseph j



J. J. B; FREY.

. Telegraph Key. No. 95,014. 1 Patentd Sept. 21,1869.

patent Win12.

JOSEPH J. B. FR'E Y, or NEVV'YORK, N. Y.

Letters Patent No. 95,014, dated September 21, 1869. p

IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-CLOSING TELEGRAPH-KEYS.

The Schedule refe'rzcd'to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same- To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J'osnPH J. B. FREY, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented anew and improved Self Closing Telegraph-Key; and I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, ciear, and exact description thereof, which will. enable others skilled in the art to make and usethe same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved key for telegraph-instruments, whereby the circuit is 'alwayskept closed when the instrument is not at work, the key automatically closing when released from the pressure of the finger or hand. I

The invention consists in providing the rear end of the key with a coiled spring, which holds the front end, when relieved of pressure, in contact with the platina point for closing the circuit automatically, and, when subjected to pressure, will come in contact with an insulated point placed immediately beneath the A represents the key, the rear end of which is attached by a spring, formed of one or more convolutions of a wire, B, to the base E of the instrument.

This spring has atendency to keep the key elevated above the insulated point'a, and in contact with the platina point I), the circuit being closed when A is in contact with l), and broken when the key is pressed down upon the insulated point a. Hence it will be seen that the circuit will always be .kept closed when the operator ceases to use the instrument, and without l'nanipulating any of the parts whatever.

U is'a guide for the key; but this may be dispensed with, and hard rubber strips fitted in the yoke D, for that purpose.

By changing the points of the receiving-magnet, the. local batteries are kept from action except when in actual use.

Having thus described my invention,

What .I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The key A, constructed as described, with theconvolute spring B, in combination with the platina point D, and insulated point a, all arranged and operating as described, for the purpose specified.

JOS. J. B. FREY.

Witnesses Faun BLOCKLEY, ALEX. l Ronnn'rs. 

